Boss Tweed

So, have you ever read a recipe and think "that might be interesting!".  Then you read it to someone else and they say, "that sounds digusting!".


Connie is a big fan of Scotch (NOT!).  The words gasoline, kerosene or some other euphemism for a flammable element spew forth whenever he tastes it.  He does taste it and truth be told the older, more mellow forms he can stomach.  Not much, but a least he doesn't make one of those three year old faces and gripe.

I on the other hand, grew up thinking Scotch was great.  Dad used to drink Scotch and water.  Actually I should say he drank WATER and a little bit of Scotch.  A shot of Scotch in about 8 oz of water.  It was truly Scotch flavored water.  Mom, on the other hand, is a fan of a good martini.  Gin on the rocks with the vermouth waved over the glass.  Consequently, when I was in high school and made their drinks for them, I'd take a sniff of Mom's and wrinkle my nose.  Dad's, the sip was a pretty good thing.  When I got to be of drinking age (you believe that, don't you?) I became a bona fide Scotch drinker.  I still have about a third of a bottle of really good Scotch that a dear friend's widow gave me.  It's pulled out when I have a really fantastic day and I have just a little teeny bit and toast Terry.  I had lunch with Snipper today (his widow) and almost had a toast tonight - til Connie suggested the Boss Tweed while we fixed dinner...


One day, I read the following recipie and the aforementioned conversation took place.  Anyway, one of Connie's sayings is "What could possibly go wrong?".  I think he thought that the worst case scenario is that I get two drinks and he retreats to the basement to grab a beer.  He graciously agreed to make the drink and at least give it a shot.  As it turns out, it is very tasty and Connie doesn't complain and even savors it.  It is a double shot of liquor, so feel free to halve the recipie if you wish, but it doesn't taste anywhere near as strong as it sounds.


So here is a Boss Tweed, named after a somewhat legendary politician from New York City in the days of Tammany Hall.  I will leave the other adjectives to describe him off of my page, but truth be told he was convicted and died in jail.  Unfortunately, I printed the recipe at work many months ago and didn't note the source.  I am pretty sure that it came from Food and Wine's website and they credit the Blue Mill Tavern in New York City.  I can't take credit since it wasn't my idea to begin with, so I will give them the nod and apologize in advance if it truly belongs to someone else.

Boss Tweed (for two)

2 oz blended Scotch (we use Johnny Walker Red)
2 oz brandy (we use E&J)
2 oz light rum (we use Bacardi)
3 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 oz simple syrup (we use 2:1)
6 dashes Angostura bitters

Mix all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake vigorously.  Strain, toast the one you love, and enjoy!